, 1887-03-16
THE TELEPHONE GIRL.

came into his office, after several days
illness with o wretched neuralgia, which
affected him whenever the east wind
blew, you got some one for the tele-
phone-did you, Burns'"
Eyes, sir" the clerk replied, 1.-The
young lady has been here since Tuesday"
Young ladyi' exclaimed Mr.. Wayne,
testify. why did you get n womans A
brokers' Office Is no place for a woman"
why, you see, sir, said Burns, with
nj obvious embarrassment and appre-
hensive glances toward n light oak par
tition, behind which the new operator sat
about that-only that Mr.. Richards had
his hands full with the wires, and that
there'd nave to be some one to take charge
Of the telephone; so p
THAT is just like you, Burns" said
Mr.. Wayne stamping bac into his pri-
vate office. Amy one else would have
known better"
why, you see, SIR" aid Burns, de-
fensively, as he followed him back, ~
didn't think 1t would make much differ
ence. The young lady is very capable
and she seemed to want the place so badly.
She Is very poor, sir, and supports her
mother. | know something about her,
you Sec
OHl sOoulc udhlc vi youiot L odplOoct
Burnss Very nice arrangement for you,
no doubt"
81 beg pardon, SIR - said Burns, in on
offended manner, 81 rm n married man,"
'By Jovei so you are!' said Roland
Wayne, with a laugh. 81 had forgotten
that. Though" he added, humorously,
'that doesn't always make a difference.
Well, try her, anyhow. Where is the
mail, pleases"
II tell you what, Burns" one of the
other clerks observed, when that indi-
vidual finally emerged from Mr.. Wayne's
office, 1.-THE boss is in a fly humor, isn't
hes'
He's all right" Burns answered,
warmly. HE has given me a ticket to
Atlantic City and two days off"
The clerk whistled.
why, 1 thought he was going to take
your head off"
"You don't know him. l am sure 1t Is
no shame to a man whose nerves are
always twinging with neuralgia if he loses
his temper now and then"
Roland meanwhile had taken up his pen
and was writing a lengthy account Of
Brisket's new deal in P. Y. md ID:
IF the cat jumps this way" he said, in
conclusion, 1.-THE bears have got him sure.
Danbury is on our side. He has given
Brisket the cold shoulder, and, If I'm not
mistaken, somebody will get wofully left.
/ don't intend that it shall be l. If every
thing goes as ! think it will, / shall pocket
5000, 900, and then 1 am going to get out
of the brokerage business. 1t doesn't suit
me, and my health is 30 poor that 1 must
get away somewhere or l hall go to
pieces"
II beg pardon, SIR said II soft, tremu-
lous voice at his elbow, II am Miss
Archer, Mr.. Wayne"
Roland dropped his pen and rose polite
ly as he saw q slight, graceful figure in
black standing before him.
BE seated, Miss Archer, " he said, with
Il smile which no man could have with
held when he saw the fairness of her
young face and that shy, sweet flush on
her cheeks. what can l do for your
~ am the telephone operator, " she be-
gan, rapidly, and with n nervousness she
could not conceal. IL could not help
hearing what you said to Mr.. Burns a lit
tie while ago, and-I came to say that If
you are not satisfied to have me stay in
the Office you need only say So"
Not satisnedl' Roland echoed, in man
ifest confusion. "Well, really, you know
l have not given you a trial; and as to
what l said a little while ago 1 am sorry,
Miss Archer. am afraid you will have
to set it down to neuralgia. am quite
willing to have you stay, If you will
you are very kind" she said, lacing
and unlacing her fingers in some con-
fusion. II should like to stay-indeed, it
is very important that l should a this
position, or something else. But If what
you say is true-if n brokers' office is no
place for n woman-I-I think / would
rather not stay"
How Roland Wayne abused himself
when he thought Of his careless words,
and then marked how her lips quivered,
how her eyelids dropped to keep pack the
unshed tearsl
81 think l spoke too hastily, Miss
Archer" he said. "A lady's place is
where she makes it. We are not n lot OF
savnges," he added, with n warm smile.
''If you remain here / think l can insure
you courteous and considerate treatment
on the part Of every one in this Office. If
such is not accorded o you have only
to inform me, and l will know tho reason
why"
you are very kind, " said Miss Archer,
with n bright, tieeting smile. 81 should
like to stay. I really cannot afford to re-
sign my position"
Then stay, by all means" said Ro-
land.
ANA, 10 tue eulnCntlOn OF MS clerkS, no
got up and opened the door for her when
she went out.
After that he often caught himself lis
tening to the soft yet distinct voice in an
other room holding conversations over the
phone.
When he was at home with one OF his
attacks of neuralgia and had to communi-
cate with the Office by wire he often re-
marked how well he could hear Miss
Archcr's voice, when all the others ebbed
away like n Babel of sound.
Burns did u fine thing when hefgot
that girl in the office, " he unused ne lay,
when he wa kept a prisoner yert in
OPPORTUNITY. II don't know what we'd
do without her-now especially. It's bad
enough rs 1t is. l couldn't have had this
attack at a worse time. But l guess
everything Is all right. Danbury's good
for any mount this side OF n million. BY
love, though, it would be rough on me IL
anything went wrong nowl 1t would clean
me out completely
Ilo was walking up and down the room,
trying to repress the nervous agitation
which attacked him.
Seven o'clock he said, glancing at
the time. ,'Thc Office is closed long ago.
In another hour Brisket will sign over
those bonds, and then-Hellol what's
their
The shrill alarm OF the telephone sum